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Thief 'feels like scum' after taking poppy day collection
A MAN who stole a poppy collection tin on Remembrance Sunday said he feels like "scum" and has vowed to repay the cash.
Former drug addict Michael Nicklin, 28, grabbed the full collection box in a Hull shoe shop and hid it in his 11-month-old daughter's buggy before escaping.
The theft took place just two hours after the nation stood in silence to honour its war dead.
But the repentant thief – who has 29 previous convictions for shop theft and was serving a suspended sentence when committing his latest crime – apologised after admitting theft at Hull Magistrates' Court.
He said: "I am stupid. I am scum. I can't believe I did it.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I am sorry it ever crossed my mind. There is nothing I can do to undo it, but I can show I am truly sorry and want to make it up."
Nicklin, of Nepean Grove, Hull, promised to donate 100 from his benefit payments to the Royal British Legion and also volunteered to help the charity.
He was caught on CCTV at about 1pm on November 8 stealing the tin at Wynsors World of Shoes in Hessle Road.
After the footage was released Nicklin was tracked down to a friend's house, where he was found hiding in a loft. He will be sentenced next month.
Hull Poppy Appeal organiser Pat Arksey said: "What he did was terrible and he is going to have to face the court's decision when he goes there.
"But if he wants to make amends by donating some money and wants to help us out as well, we would welcome that."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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